The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has named Lizam Dorji, CEO of MICE Bhutan, a subsidiary of Druk Asia, as the Grand Winner of the 2026 PATA Face of the Future Award. The prestigious recognition celebrates young tourism professionals who are making a difference through leadership, innovation and sustainable tourism development across the Asia Pacific region.

Alongside Dorji, four emerging tourism professionals have received Special Recognition for their contributions to student development, strategic management, leadership and sustainability initiatives. They are Abdulla Iyaan Ahmed, former Chair of the PATA Malaysia Taylor’s Student Chapter, for Student Excellence; Orawan Dinsor, Team Leader, Travelplan Latin Markets at Asian Trails, for Strategic Management; Alevtina Borodulina, Lead Heritage Consultant at Aquamarine Projects, for Leadership; and Uyanga Galbadrakh, Co Founder and CEO of WildMongolia, for Sustainability Initiatives.

Since 2002, the PATA Face of the Future Award has recognised promising young professionals across the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. It is considered PATA’s most prestigious award for emerging tourism leaders and highlights individuals who are helping shape the future of sustainable tourism.

“I sincerely congratulate Ms. Lizam Dorji on being named the 2026 PATA Face of the Future,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid. “This recognition reflects her leadership and contribution to the tourism industry, as well as the potential of the next generation of tourism professionals to shape a more innovative, responsible and meaningful future for our sector.

“This year, we received a record number of applications, with an exceptionally high calibre of entries that made the judging process particularly challenging. Each submission demonstrated the talent, creativity and commitment that make them among the finest in the travel and tourism industry. My congratulations also extend to our four Special Recognition recipients and all this year’s nominees. Their achievements reflect the remarkable talent and dedication of professionals across our industry, and we are proud to provide a platform that recognises excellence and supports their continued development.”

Lizam Dorji Wins 2026 PATA Face of the Future Award

As CEO of MICE Bhutan, Dorji is playing an important role in the growth of Bhutan’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector. Her work focuses on creating new opportunities for economic development, international engagement and knowledge exchange through business events.

Before returning to Bhutan, Dorji spent more than five years working in Thailand with Royal Cliff Hotels Group and Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall. During this period, she managed international conferences, United Nations events, corporate meetings and large conventions involving as many as 4,000 participants.

She returned to Bhutan with the goal of applying that international experience to the country’s developing MICE industry. Her vision includes creating professional opportunities for young Bhutanese while positioning Bhutan as a destination for meaningful international business events and cultural exchange.

Her work also extends beyond MICE tourism. Dorji has partnered with the Youth Development Fund on a three year initiative to plant 2,664 flowering trees with guests across Bhutan. She has also worked with the Department of Culture on efforts to revitalise three nationally significant museums.

Through these initiatives, Dorji is demonstrating how tourism and business events can support local communities while contributing to the preservation of Bhutan’s cultural and environmental values.

As the 2026 PATA Face of the Future, Dorji will serve on the PATA Board for one year beginning in 2027. In this role, she will represent the youth community and bring the views of the next generation of tourism professionals into the Association’s leadership.

“Winning the PATA Face of the Future 2026 award is an incredible honour, and I am deeply grateful to PATA and everyone who has supported my journey. This recognition is not just a personal milestone, but a reflection of the many young tourism professionals across the region working to shape a more sustainable and meaningful future for our industry.

“I truly believe that tourism can be a powerful catalyst for positive change. Through our work at MICE Bhutan, we hope to demonstrate that business events can go far beyond commerce. By designing programmes that create authentic cultural exchanges and support local communities, we aim to reflect Bhutan’s philosophy of sustainability and Gross National Happiness.

“This recognition deeply motivates me to do more, push boundaries, and empower the next generation of tourism leaders. My hope is to inspire other young professionals to view travel not merely as a career, but as a meaningful platform to protect cultural heritage, uplift host communities, and preserve the environment. I look forward to learning from my peers at the Youth Symposium as we work toward a more purposeful future together,” said Ms. Dorji.

Four Young Tourism Professionals Receive Special Recognition

PATA also recognised four emerging professionals whose work reflects the changing priorities of the Asia Pacific tourism industry.

Abdulla Iyaan Ahmed: Student Excellence

Maldivian tourism professional and final year Bachelor of International Tourism Management (Honours) student at Taylor’s University in Malaysia, Abdulla Iyaan Ahmed was recognised for his contribution to student leadership and professional development.

He recently completed his term as President of the PATA Malaysia Taylor’s Student Chapter and currently serves as President of the PATA Malaysia Chapter Student Wing. During his time with the Student Chapter, Ahmed helped organise destination trips involving students from several universities, a Youth Symposium debate attended by more than 200 students from five universities, student talk series and professional development programmes.

His experience extends beyond PATA. Through Taylor’s University Student Council and student clubs, he has helped organise more than 40 events. He has also gained experience in destination marketing and marine conservation through organisations including Visit Maldives Corporation and the Olive Ridley Project.

“I am deeply honoured to be named a Special Recognition Winner for Student Excellence of the PATA Face of the Future 2026. I grew up in the Maldives, where the ocean shaped my childhood and tourism sustains my country, and where I learned early that the industry can either harm the reefs I grew up diving on or fund their protection, depending on how it is led.”

“My sincere thanks go to PATA for investing in young people, to Taylor’s University and my lecturers for their guidance, to the PATA Malaysia Chapter, and to my committee at the PATA Malaysia Taylor’s Student Chapter, whose hard work stands behind everything we achieved together, and to my family back home for their constant support.”

“This recognition strengthens my commitment to sustainable tourism and to bringing the perspective of small island nations into regional conversations. To my fellow students across Asia Pacific: our generation will inherit this industry, and the work of protecting the places we love begins now. I hope to keep serving the youth networks that shaped my journey, and to help the next generation of tourism leaders find theirs,” said Mr. Ahmed.

Orawan Dinsor: Strategic Management

Orawan Dinsor, Team Leader, Travelplan Latin Markets at Asian Trails, received Special Recognition for Strategic Management. Since 2024, Dinsor has led the Latin team for the Travelplan Project, overseeing operations that welcome more than 1,000 Spanish travellers each month. Her background in operations and customer service has helped her develop strong skills in problem solving, team management and delivering quality experiences across a fast moving international tourism environment.

Fluent in Thai, English and Spanish, Dinsor places collaboration, empathy and team empowerment at the centre of her leadership approach. Her work focuses on creating stronger connections between travellers, destinations and local communities.

“Strategy is not just about making the right decisions—it is about empowering the right people to make a difference. Receiving the PATA Face of the Future 2026 – Special Recognition for Strategic Management is a tremendous honour and a meaningful milestone in my career. I am deeply grateful to PATA, my colleagues, mentors, partners, and everyone who has supported my journey.”

“Working in tourism has taught me that strategic management is about more than planning and operations. It is about building trust, fostering collaboration, embracing innovation, and creating meaningful connections between destinations, travellers, and local communities. Every challenge has strengthened my belief that true leadership is rooted in resilience, adaptability, and a shared vision. Representing Thailand while working with international markets has shown me the power of tourism to connect cultures and create lasting positive impact. This recognition inspires me to continue promoting sustainable tourism, operational excellence, and the development of future leaders.”

“I hope my journey encourages others to lead with integrity, curiosity, and purpose, because the future of tourism is shaped not only by the destinations we promote, but by the people we inspire along the way,” said Ms. Dinsor.

Alevtina Borodulina: Leadership

Alevtina Borodulina, Lead Heritage Consultant at Aquamarine Projects, was recognised for her work in heritage, cultural tourism and community engagement.

A social anthropologist by training, Borodulina has conducted fieldwork across Russia and Europe and developed exhibition concepts, multimedia storytelling projects and cultural initiatives that place communities at the heart of visitor experiences.

In 2024, she spent six months conducting ethnographic fieldwork with the Bidayuh indigenous community in Sarawak, Malaysia, as part of a tourism masterplan. Her work focused on building trust within the community and translating local knowledge into practical approaches to cultural identity and community participation.

Her approach reflects a wider commitment to cultural tourism that shares heritage responsibly while giving local communities a meaningful role in how their stories are presented to visitors.

“It is with deep gratitude that I accept the PATA Face of the Future in Leadership recognition. As a social anthropologist working between museums, indigenous communities, and emerging tourism projects, I have seen how fragile cultural memory can be – and how powerful it becomes when thoughtfully woven into travel experiences. This award tells me that there is space, at the very centre of our industry, for leadership rooted in listening, care, and long-term relationships with the places and people we work with.

“I am honoured to bring Aquamarine’s heritage-led approach into the PATA community, and to learn from fellow leaders across the Asia Pacific. My hope is that, together, we will keep asking hard questions about how culture is represented, who benefits from tourism, and how we can design destinations that leave communities stronger, not just more visible. I look forward to collaborating, sharing our frameworks from Sarawak and beyond, and contributing to the next chapter of PATA’s story,” said Ms. Borodulina.

Uyanga Galbadrakh: Sustainability Initiatives

Uyanga Galbadrakh, Co Founder and CEO of WildMongolia, received Special Recognition for Sustainability Initiatives for her work connecting luxury tourism with community empowerment and cultural preservation.

After working in IT and strategy consulting in Tokyo, Galbadrakh returned to Mongolia in 2022 and co founded WildMongolia. Her goal was to help make nomadic life economically sustainable while protecting Mongolia’s cultural heritage.

Under her leadership, WildMongolia has become the second largest player in Mongolia’s luxury tourism market. Its Pop Up Ger Camp in western Mongolia is designed and led by local Mongolian and Kazakh nomads, directly supporting 50 families and more than 300 people indirectly since April 2025.

Galbadrakh has also contributed to conservation efforts, including a programme providing winter care for orphaned bear cubs. Five cubs have been successfully released since April 2025.

“Receiving the PATA Face of the Future 2026 – Special Recognition for Sustainability Initiatives is a profound honour that validates what we set out to prove: that luxury tourism can make traditional nomadic life economically viable again. I returned to Mongolia in 2022 after a decade in Tokyo because our ancient culture was fading as young people left for cities. In three years, WildMongolia has become Mongolia’s second-largest luxury tourism company by empowering local communities to lead – not just participate.

“I am deeply grateful to PATA for this recognition. It proves that sustainability and commercial success are not opposites – they are partners. This award belongs to every nomadic family, artisan, and guide who trusted this vision. Together, we are building proof that tourism can be regenerative, that cultural preservation can drive prosperity, and that when we empower people with deep local knowledge, everyone wins. I hope this inspires other young professionals across Asia Pacific to pursue bold ideas that serve both people and the planet,” said Ms. Galbadrakh.

The 2026 PATA Face of the Future Award highlights a new generation of tourism professionals who are approaching travel through leadership, sustainability, community participation and innovation. Their work reflects how the Asia Pacific tourism industry is evolving and the growing role young professionals will play in shaping its future

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